I found myself highly encouraged by this performance.
I didn’t think it would be easy and indeed Burnley had us on the back foot in the first third of the second half, which concerned me because it seemed we eased off more than the home side came into their own. Fortunately, we managed to ride the storm, even though they managed to score straight after the break, which was disappointing. Still, I suppose every team has it’s bright part in a game but fortunately Burnley didn’t take their chances, while we did.
That dodgy period apart though, I thought we were pretty much in control and looked to be a very well set up side. We dominated the midfield, with McGinn being his industrious old self and he was ably assisted by pretty much everyone around him.
It was notable that we tended to double up a lot on the opposition, with Konsa backing up Matty Cash, who was allowed to venture forward and go on to get two very good goals. Thinking about it, Konsa could easily be my man of the match, as he did very little wrong, but I think I could easily say that about quite a few of our players. Kamara, Luiz and Torres all generally looked pretty tidy.
There were a few scary moments with our playing around at the back, but I certainly don’t feel as scared as I did when we first started playing that way.
Watkins looks like he couldn’t hit a cow’s proverbial with a banjo, but I’m not going to criticise him. Whereas Diaby is looking like he could be a real asset for us.
I thought Zaniolo looked fairly decent too and made a bright debut, as much as I thought he looked like a fish out of water in his first couple of minutes. He was far too close to his teammates when they were in possession of the ball and it looked like he didn’t know where to go.
He soon got into it though and moved around nicely and even having a greedy effort where it would have been far simpler to pass it to Watkins who was in a much better position. I’m sure Emery will pull him up about that, but I suppose it’s nice to see such self belief.
So all in all, it’s been a fantastic week and after the Newcastle shoeing, we’ve now scored 12 goals in three games. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
I’m a very happy bunny.
UTV!
Anfield next and that will be a tough test.
Why is everyone so negative about Watkins?
He was a thorn in Burnley’s side all game – he provided an assist for the first goal and his two best chances were well hit and on target. The fact that Trafford made two top class saves seems to have been missed!
If Martinez had made those save the Villa faithful would be raving how good he is – but no – let’s criticise Watkins instead.
Name me who you would have leading the line in his stead?
With u on that Hitch. He has many other qualities.
Just reading about the brick thrown at our bus window. Was it Alistair Campbell in a bad mood? Someone could have been killed.
“Why is everyone so negative about Watkins?” – Hitch, I don’t think that’s really the case.
Nobody’s questioning his overall work rate or contribution to results; it’s more just the realisation that he’s not Harry Kane or Erling Haaland – i.e. he’s not likely to get 20, let alone 30+ league goals a season…
That may actually be quite good for us, since it means that we’re not relying on one talisman to score all of our goals…
I think it’s much better to not be relying on one individual. Villa gained by shedding Jack G and I don’t think Spurs’ improvement after Harry is a coincidence.
I’m not necessarily negative on Watkins Hitch. In fact I’ve usually been over supportive of him.
But he does miss a lot of very good chances and that’s undeniable, in my opinion.
He does though offer plenty in other areas, particularly his workrate in occupying defenders.
As it happens, I think Archer is a better finisher than Watkins, but that’s not to say he’s ready.
And you’re quite right, it wouldn’t be easy to replace Watkins.
The problem is he has a tendency to go lots of games without scoring and it’s frustrating.
And if you think I’m negative, if you read around, you’ll see that some fans would get shot of him tomorrow as they think he’s totally useless!
Ollie has hovered around the 15 goal mark since arriving VP. That’s just a notch below the elite strikers, who we probably can’t afford. Add to that everything else he brings, I don’t think we can do better and the fans who want rid are the ones who slate anyone and everyone unless their game is completely flawless, and even then…
I don’t think Ollie has reached his peak just yet and I think he is actually capable of 20 league goals a season. But the way Unai sets his team up means it’s not all about the one striker, which is what Ardent said, and I wouldn’t have it any other way – goals from all areas is far preferable to them coming from one source!
He’s also had 3 different managers. I think he’ll settle down with Unai guiding and be on double figures by the New Year.
UTV
A mostly dominant performance apart from a 10-15 minute spell at the start of the second half.
Great to see Cash get a couple of goals and he excelled as a wing back. I thought Zaniolo looked very good and a few poor decision making moments was the only criticism, which was probably due to his eagerness to make an impression.
McGinn again was excellent as were Konsa, Luiz and Kamara.
Watkins and Diaby caused mayhem for the Burnley defence.
Olsen didn’t do too much wrong but I still felt nervous every time he was pressured. I also felt Torres should have done better with the Burnley goal.
A tough game next weekend even though Van Dijk will be suspended. However we need to get results against the big boys if we want to chase down a Champions league place.
If Virgil is suspended, we should be looking to overwhelm their ropey defence with our very potent attack. Opportunity knocks…
On today, kudos (again) to Unai for having a plan B with the way Cash was deployed. Flexibility doesn’t seem to phase this manager at all. Long may it continue. Terrific away win with minimum fuss. That’s not the Villa we’ve been so used to!
UTV
I’ve just seen our goals from yesterday. Outstanding football. They made it look so easy. So so pleasing to see. I wouldn’t swap our manager with ANY in the league.
Ron, some of the passing was incredible. Something i never expected to see. Creative. Incisive. Accurate.
Absolutely Bum Bum. Perfectly described. Cash is waxing lyrical about Unai too. The players love their gaffa, as do the fans!
And I see it’s 100% confirmed Archer has gone for £18m to Sheffield.
I think too much is being made of the Newcastle result. To me it seems that after Buendla’s incident and then two days later the same thing happening to Mings was very unsettling on the day. And whilst Mings was beating the ground in pain/frustration Watkins could have made it 2-2 and from there history might well have been different – Newcastle made a real mess of yesterday for instance so they are not impervious to pressure.
Anyway, que sera, but if I’m right things will go from strength to strength. I won’t be surprised to see us beat Liverpool next week.
Good point. I’m beginning to think that a win is certainly a possibility especially with Van Dijk missing. From everything I’ve read, it should be no surprise that Cash scored a brace. It seems to be down to Emery’s tactical nous and to him spotting a weakness in Burnley’s defence. There are certainly weaknesses in Liverpool’s back line so I’m hoping that Emery can come up with another winning plan.
We’ve really moved on, haven’t we, when we can even think like this?
Unai is potentially the greatest signing in AVFCs history. Potentially…
Interesting point BFR – he has to go some yet to beat Sir Ron though!
Even though Sir Ron had left us, it was his team and lasting influence that won us the European Cup meaning no disrespect whatsoever to Tony Barton.
Lot of ‘noise around Liverpool being interested in Luiz.
I hope we’re telling them to ‘do one’.
We’re building a side and no longer a ‘feeder’ club for the ‘Sky Six’ who think they can just waltz in and take any player they like.
Standard tactics Hitchens. When a BS club has a ‘smaller’ club as its next match while the window is open or imminent – the BS club has an interest in one of / the only smaller club’s star player(s).
Perhaps it derives from the BS club having a daily talkshite column to fill. It might start with “I wouldn’t want any of their players – oh maybe X though” and suddenly BS want X.
Spot on Hitch.
Why go to Pool, who, if they don’t change something up, are a declining club, when you can come to the Villa, join a team on the up and get a regular game IF you perform?
We’re where Pool were 6-7 years ago, imo.
They’ll have to offer significantly more than the 111 million they offered for the lad from Brighton if they’re remotely serious, because Dougie is a better player. We’ll start the bidding at 130 million. No? Then do one.
I would always be surprised to see Villa win at Anfield. I have been there to see it twice, and on the first occasion the famously sporting Scousers did not make the walk back to Lime St a pleasant stroll. As for the missing Van Dijk – he was present for the 7-2 thrashing at VP. I think the rest of their defence is more careless when he is there as the back stop.
We don’t know yet who the ref is – we haven’t endured Michael Oliver for a while so we could be playing 12.
As Forest recently discovered against ManU.
Another lesson learnt for the newly arrived in the six team EPL.
By my calculations, United already have +4 points due to help from their friends. After 3 games. So they’re averaging over a point a game for free. If that’s the precedent, whatever points they have at the end of the season, minus 40 and that’s their actual level.
Ref at Anfield will be S. Hooper, that is encouraging.
According to the Guardian – ‘Aston Villa appear to be leading the race to sign Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet on a loan deal.’
Watched Leglet play many times for Barcelona and, while he had a mistake and the odd red card in him, he was fairly solid in most games. The red cards were mostly because of the way Barcelona played at the time, all attack with a very high defensive line, so it made life hard on the last defenders. Lenglet, along with Konsa, Torres and Carlos, would make for a pretty solid central defensive unit. Hope it’s true.
BTW Lenglet knows Monchi as he signed him for Sevilla a few years back.
All recent reports say the deal’s been done.
IMO a good move (loan, rather than buy) – he’s got a good pedigree in European competition for both Barca and Spurs.
That’s the cover for Mings sorted. Good cover too with prem experience. I’m still certain we need a RB cover in case Cash gets injured which would just be our luck. And I know we have good attacking players but Another CF would be nice but that’s going to be a tall order to find a ready made replacement now. All in all I feel like we have a great squad that can challenge on all fronts this season.
Regarding strikers, the lad at Forest who was injured for most of last season looks a proper striker. Awoniyi. How much would it take to prise him away from the City Ground? Looks very comfortable in the PL in a poor team. Scores goals for fun from what I’ve seen. Thoughts, anyone?
Really don’t know anything about him BFR.
However, there are reports that Villa are interested in Barca’s 21 year old forward Ez Abde on a permanent deal.
Is Barca becoming are new feeder club 🙂 🙂
* our new feeder club
Abde Ezzalzouli is a decent young winger. Season before last when the Barcelona squad was very thin on the ground due to financial restrictions, Abde was thrown in at the deep end and did a decent enough job. He was subsequently loaned to Ossasuna who finished 7th in La Liga and runners up in the cup.
At 21 he’s young enough to learn from Emery and talented enough to make his mark with the Villa. Excellent work if we can get him.
So we get Everton at VP again in R3 of the League Cup…
Probably an easier tie than the likes of Lincoln or Salford 🙂
But take nothing for granted and I don’t think Emery will.
Especially after Stevenage last year!!!
Kienan Davis now likely to go abroad – Udinese – wants far too much for Championship clubs to afford. Problem when EPL sides overpay average players.
I’d really forgotten that we still had him on the books.
He did “OK” out on loan in the Championship – but didn’t exactly set the world alight even at that level, so as you say ‘average’.
Villa should just take whatever’s offered for him and get rid – he’s got no future at VP.
Match £4.99 on AVTV. Seems it’s free to watch in the USA…
Where in the USA is it free? I only found Villa TV and had to get VPN to see if I could purchase as it said not available in my region.
CBS apparently. According to the Hibernian website.
A fiver to see a tie that’s more or less decided and where we will probably be playing our second team?
It will put us in Europe for the first time in umpteen years so yes, I’m more than happy to stump up.
COYL
CBS Sports Network. They do show some content on the Web page but I think this is from Paramount. So don’t know yet, worth a look later as it is 7am in the morning there and they be happy with a few viewers
Like the team Emery’s put out
Jon Duran – what a goal!
2-0.
Bailey.
I think we are beginning to see why Emery prefers Duran to Archer.
Good second by Bailey
Hitch
Totally agree. His finish tonight was sublime. I could be wrong but that was only his second touch of the ball tonight.
Listening to MacInally on Villa TV – love the way he refers to Villa as ‘us’ – what a player he was. Also Jed Steer – clearly committed to the club and articulate.
Looks like we’re putting some ‘big guns’ on for the second half McGinn for Kamara and Cash for Konsa.
Torres impressive first 45 minutes.
Youan looks a decent player
Cash – the Polish Cafu and our new false 9.
Duran and Torres off; Watkins and Carlos on.
This kid Kellymann looks the real deal
Once again Southgate has overlooked Villa players.
I don’t really care; in my view he’s a t**ser and, anyway, we don’t need our players exposed to rubbish International Breaks.
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